Good review and congrats on the bike! Sometimes it's good to get outside your comfort zone a bit and try something new, and obviously there was "something" about the big VFR that grabbed you, and that was sort of obvious in your first post. If it matters, I think it's a pretty cool looking bike, and at least looks distinctive. Frankly I don't like the "transformer" styling direction of any of the new BMW's, and think they're trying to corner the market in ugly motorcycles. For $8k I don't see how you go wrong with this machine, and I agree that from what I've seen the fit and finish of the VFR1200 is the best I've seen on any motorcycle, and equal to my HP2 Sport. A new K1300S will depreciate in two years what this bike cost you. You could probably ride it for five or six years and I'd be surprised if it depreciates more than $3k. Enjoy it!

Good review and congrats on the bike! Sometimes it's good to get outside your comfort zone a bit and try something new, and obviously there was "something" about the big VFR that grabbed you, and that was sort of obvious in your first post. If it matters, I think it's a pretty cool looking bike, and at least looks distinctive. Frankly I don't like the "transformer" styling direction of any of the new BMW's, and think they're trying to corner the market in ugly motorcycles. For $8k I don't see how you go wrong with this machine, and I agree that from what I've seen the fit and finish of the VFR1200 is the best I've seen on any motorcycle, and equal to my HP2 Sport. A new K1300S will depreciate in two years what this bike cost you. You could probably ride it for five or six years and I'd be surprised if it depreciates more than $3k. Enjoy it!

Thanks very much, and you're right: it was one of those bikes that really caught me off guard when I rode it, and I was distrustful of my first reaction to it for many reasons...not the least of which was because of wondering how I could enjoy a bike so well that has been so universally maligned. Answer? No idea. I just did.

I'm planning to keep this bike for a long while - even if there are things that end up not being great about it. Upcoming college expenses for three kids in a row will dictate that.

FWIW, the HP2 Sport is, to me, one of the most fantastic combinations of beauty, engineering and attention to detail I've ever seen. Absolutely one of the bikes I hope ride someday. Congrats on owning one!

I would jump all over that bike at that price. The only used one near me is 12k!

If you ever have any real interest in that VFR, you'd be surprised....the dealer hasn't taken my bike off the website yet, where it's still listed for $12,900. At the time I finally rode it, the showroom sticker was marked down to $11,900. Honestly made the offer based on some private-party bikes on Cycletrader listed at around 9 grand, figuring they would counter. They just took the offer. In my neck of the woods, if it's not a cruiser (or an ATV), it doesn't sell. This thing sat on their floor for months, and with winter's approach (and the fact nobody bought these in the first place) made them pretty wiling...

There are really some great deals to be had every once in awhile, I found out, by not sharing opinions on motorcycles with the general public.

If you ever have any real interest in that VFR, you'd be surprised....the dealer hasn't taken my bike off the website yet, where it's still listed for $12,900. At the time I finally rode it, the showroom sticker was marked down to $11,900. Honestly made the offer based on some private-party bikes on Cycletrader listed at around 9 grand, figuring they would counter. They just took the offer. In my neck of the woods, if it's not a cruiser (or an ATV), it doesn't sell. This thing sat on their floor for months, and with winter's approach (and the fact nobody bought these in the first place) made them pretty wiling...

There are really some great deals to be had every once in awhile, I found out, by not sharing opinions on motorcycles with the general public.

Good on ya, mate! I'm glad you enjoy it. I guess you wanted to be one of those "nicest people" after all.
The best thing for you is that, from the cockpit, you don't have to look at the (still butt-ugly) front end. Sorry, I had to.

But for what you paid, you got a lot of motorcycle, and very well done indeed. I hope you enjoy it, safely, for years to come.

Good on ya, mate! I'm glad you enjoy it. I guess you wanted to be one of those "nicest people" after all.
The best thing for you is that, from the cockpit, you don't have to look at the (still butt-ugly) front end. Sorry, I had to.

No doubt about it - I try and try to think of myself as a badass...but one of my favorite bikes - if I include my riding career going back to my youth - was a Trail 90. I'm the Ned Flanders of badasses.

And no offense at all on the "ugly front end" comment! It's taken me awhile to appreciate the thing too, and it does indeed look good from the cab.

I think you're right on pricing. A lot of used bikes at dealerships are on consignment, and the dealer has nothing tied up in the bike other than floor space and they let the owner of the bike set the asking price. I would think that any VFR1200 priced much north of $10k has been sitting around for awhile, so it never hurts to do your homework and make a fair offer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unleaded

If you ever have any real interest in that VFR, you'd be surprised....the dealer hasn't taken my bike off the website yet, where it's still listed for $12,900. At the time I finally rode it, the showroom sticker was marked down to $11,900. Honestly made the offer based on some private-party bikes on Cycletrader listed at around 9 grand, figuring they would counter. They just took the offer. In my neck of the woods, if it's not a cruiser (or an ATV), it doesn't sell. This thing sat on their floor for months, and with winter's approach (and the fact nobody bought these in the first place) made them pretty wiling...

There are really some great deals to be had every once in awhile, I found out, by not sharing opinions on motorcycles with the general public.

Apologies for bumping my own thread - thought I'd respond to a few requests I received regarding info on fuel mileage for the VFR12. Enjoyed some decent weather in the low 50's today, but forecast is ugly, so I took the opportunity to put another 100 miles on it.

Tank was full when I picked it up from the dealer, and odo showed 118.2 on fill up. Put in 3.19 gallons...so first results are around 37 mpg. Most of that was NOT really hard riding, though I did have plenty of short runs to redline on the straights. There were probably 20 miles of "around-town", stop and go riding, and 25 miles of 80 MPH slab riding. The rest was on back roads at a mostly moderate pace...slowed in places early in the ride by wet pavement.

Didn't stop for too many pics, but did take a few at a park close to home...and a
few more along the same deserted road along which the last pics I posted were taken. Still just smartphone pics, but lighting was better today, and I think the pics show the lines of the bike as they appear in person a little more clearly.

Bike has right at 3000 miles on it now, so hopefully the mileage will get better - or at least not decrease too much. A theoretical range of 180 isn't bad, if it holds up, IMO.

There's still a pretty sweet intake roar above 6k, but they've changed the firing order of the plugs. Opinions vary, and I really like the sound of this thing - even stock. But no matter how you slice it, the old VFRs sounded better...especially the early ones.

What a great looking bike! The contrast between that beautiful red and the wintery looking background really makes it pop.

I've wanted one of these for a while, because I love the V4 engine. I don't really care for the chassis they put this one in however and have been holding off to see if they would expand the engine into other models.....doesn't look like it though.....so I may have to break down and look more seriously at a VFR.....